It doesn’t matter what type of pet you have, all of them deserve the best care we can give them. Our outdoor pets have additional challenges, in that they need safe places to weather the winter and it’s up to us to take care of them. Learn how to keep your pet safe and comfortable through the winter with our favorite tips to keep them warm.
Take a few minutes to do an objective assessment of your pet’s readiness for the winter. Smaller pets have less body mass and therefore lose heat quicker than larger pets. Older pets don’t retain their warmth like they did when they were young. The breed of your pet also dictates their haircoat, body type, and body fat (all key factors in retaining warmth). If you have a single pet your requirement to create a safe, warm space is stronger than if you have multiple pets (at least, if those pets are comfy living together) as they will hunker down together, sharing body heat, when the coldest nights of winter arrive.
There’s no hard and fast rule to what is “too cold” for your pet, but generally when the temperatures dip below 50°F they should have a dry shelter to get in out of the cold. Their shelter should be Goldilocks sized… not too big, and not too small… just right (they should be able to move around and get comfortable, but just barely to retain the heat inside the shelter). Keeping the shelter dry and stopping the wind are top priorities as moisture will cool down your pet quicker than slowly dropping temperatures. If possible, add insulation to your pet shelter to retain their body heat within the shelter.
Outdoor pets that are exposed to the winter elements will develop a thick underfur to keep them warm. If you’re considering wrapping your pet in a winter coat, do so only when you take them for a walk. Pets that have a large body surface area and thin hair coats (I’m lookin’ at you, pig…) may benefit more from an external wrap than long haired varieties. Just like people, pets are most vulnerable at their extremities (paws)… so pet boots are recommended in extremely cold temperatures. Sure, they’ll walk weirdly at first until they get used to them, but avoiding frostbite is worth it.
There are some simple things to do to provide more heat. Firstly, make sure your pet’s outdoor home is in a sunny spot where they can reap the benefits of warming solar rays. Make sure that their outdoor home has thick thermal plastic sheets covering the door that will trap the heat inside. Raise their outdoor home off the ground and stuff the space with straw (Note, don’t put straw INSIDE the house, only outside as they are a perfect habitat for fleas or mites). Fill any gaps in the exterior surfaces with pet-safe caulk and line the floor, walls, and ceiling with insulation (cover the insulation with a solid surface like plywood to keep them from eating the insulation).
When wind speeds increase, it may be time to add some heat to your pet’s outdoor home. For a more permanent heat source, consider adding a heat lamp to the ceiling of the pet home or a heating pad placed on the floor (under their bed) to create a gentle, long-lasting heat. If they tend to spend time with you on the patio when you’re outside too, adding patio heaters will benefit them in addition to your friends and family when you’re relaxing outside.
Do your pets love snow days? Some have fun frolicking around in the snow and ice. Make it a fun day for you both by creating an obstacle course of snow pathways, archways, tunnels, and barricades for him to traverse, and watch his/her eyes light up! Another favorite is a snowy scavenger hunt – hide smally pet snacks, pieces of cooked chicken or meatballs around in the snowy areas and let your pet go to town! Make sure to keep an eye on your pet, if they begin to show signs of dehydration, or if your pet is shaking or shivering, has a hunched posture or a tucked tail or lifts his/her paws off the ground these are signs of being too cold, and it’s time for them to warm up.
Your pets’ bodies are amazing things; they adapt to fit their surroundings much the same way that people’s bodies do. In the cold, your pet’s body will try to conserve energy as much as it can and start burning fat instead of glucose for energy. Additionally, being cold frequently means shivering, which uses a TON of calories hour after hour. In fact, your pet may require 2-3 times their “normal” number of calories (which should be high in fat for the winter) to counter all this additional caloric output. And it goes without saying that the prolonged exposure to wind and dry winter air means that a constant supply of drinkable water is a requirement.
To keep your furry loved ones safe throughout the winter, start by making sure that their access to food and water isn’t blocked by ice, snow drifts or other obstacles. Keeping up their nutritional needs is a priority for your outdoor pets. Additionally, make sure that harmful/poisonous materials like antifreeze are nowhere near your pet and clean up any spills immediately. Lastly, if your pet has been anywhere near your home, driveway, or street where salt or ice melt may have been deployed be sure to sipe your pet’s paws to remove any residue. Lastly, check your engine BEFORE you start it; outdoor cats frequently like to crawl up in an engine space to suck in the warmth of a recently parked car, so check underneath your car before starting up.
Keep a close eye on your pets in the winter for signs of hypothermia (the condition of being too cold). If your pet has extreme shivering, decreased heart rate, weak pulse, dilated pupils, a body temperature below 95°F or unconsciousness, it’s time to warm your pet up. Parts of your pet may cool faster than others, causing frostbite (usually the extremities, such as ears, tails, and paws). Watch out for gray, pale or blue skin, skin that stays cold, shriveled skin or skin that causes pain when touched. If you become aware of these symptoms, warm your pet as soon as possible… bring them inside and make sure they are completely dry to begin the warming process.
Some people wrongly believe that leaving their pet in a car in winter is fine… but temperatures inside your vehicle can plummet quickly. Experts say to never leave your pet unattended in a car during winter.
If traveling by car, make sure your cat, small dog or small potbellied pig is in a strapped-in carrier. Larger pets should have a harness or weighted kennel that is secured with strength-rated anchor straps. Make sure to bring along products that will keep your pet warm, including a dog/cat sweater, blanket, microwavable bed warmer or self-warming bed. Make sure to make lots of pit stops (emptying your and your pets’ bladders will keep your bodies warmer). Be sure to keep your pets away from salted/ice melted areas, make them wear boots or clean their paws completely before you resume your trip. Finally, bring along a pet emergency kit (including food, water, bowls, can opener, medications, a first-aid kit, photos of your pet, information on feeding schedules and behavioral problems and a toy or two).
Keeping your trusty pet, whether dog, cat, or potbelly pig outdoors in winter is perfectly do-able, and with some of the tips shown here they’ll develop a healthy outdoor coat and have a safe haven when the weather gets truly ridiculous. Here at Patio Heat and Shade we love just about everything outdoors and are happy to share these tips for keeping your furry outdoor loved ones healthy and happy throughout the winter season.